Resident Evil: Revelations Review [3DS]
Capcom's latest entry in the Resident Evil series promises a triumphant return to survival horror, but does it succeed ?
rating: 4.0
Much has been said about the return to survival horror which Resident Evil:Revelations has proudly boasted since its initial inception. It's a fact Capcom are clearly keen to get across, especially following the mixed fan reception to Resident Evil 5 - a game which represented something of a bold new re-imagining of the franchise into 'survival action'. The game was hardly bad - even garnering some incredible reviews and a large co-op fanbase - but it was easy to see why for devoted fans of the series, the action packed shooter couldnt help but represent a disappointing fall from grace. Thankfully, from the very second the title screen of Resident Evil: Revelations appears and a sinister voice bellows the title out at you, its clear that fans of the good old days are definitely in good hands. Its a feeling thats only amplified when you encounter your first gruesomely bloodied corpse, open up a locker to find a suspiciously well placed green herb or most of all, have unease come over you as you hear the sound of something evil lurking around a dark corner. However, anyone expecting a straight up return to survival horror should lower those hearty expectations just a notch, as Revelations is still most certainly still infused with the DNA of Resident Evil 5. It certainly spends most of its time edging closer towards pure survival horror orientated gameplay, but the similar control scheme and emphasis on sudden bouts of intense action make the gameplay more than occasionally similar to Capcoms most divisive entry in the series.
Acting as a spin off rather than a fully fledged numbered entry, Revelations takes place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and 5, filling in some valuable backstory and plugging up some major plot holes. When Chris Redfield and his partner go missing on an investigation into the Bioterrorist threats on the floating city of Terragrigia, Jill Valentine and Parker Luciani are sent to their last known whereabouts on the sinister Queen Zenobia cruise ship. Youll control several characters including most predominately Valentine and Redfield, in an episodic storyline which focuses mainly on the exploration of the spooky Zenobia. As always, Resident Evils often barmy storyline and flourishes of madness are likely to confuse newcomers to the series or those looking for a genuinely engaging story. Melodramatic twists and turns appear at regular intervals, and ridiculously overwrought dialogue often induces unintentional laughter. When discovering one of the first of many gruesomely mangled corpses, and Jill states that It smells like rotting flesh, you cant help but laugh at the ridiculous obviousness of her observation. The episodic structure of the missions is also both a blessing and curse, with the story feeling chopped up and inconsequential but also well catered for quick sessions of play. Gameplay itself can be best described as a well balanced mix of both old and new mechanics, adopting many of the evolutions the series has made in recent years while also embracing past traditions. Characters are controlled from an over the shoulder viewpoint, with the same stop-and-shoot mechanics of prior titles. One of the biggest new additions is that aiming and shooting is now performed form a first person view, allowing for more precise targeting and deeper immersion. Sadly the enemies of the game - known as the Ooze - are an inconsistent bunch of zombified mutants, ranging from genuinely terrifying to laughably generic. Many of the intense boss battles showcase the scarier villains of the game, but perhaps the most genuinely unnerving are those lurking underwater. Youll quickly find yourself panicking as you wade your way through submerged corridors, terrified at whats clearly about to jump out from the depths. The most enjoyable new addition to the series in Revelations is the Genesis Scanner - a nifty handheld tool which sniffs out hidden items and scans enemies for genetic factoids. Much more than a simple gimmick, the Genesis Scanner brings a new level of strategy and tactical planning to the gameplay. Youll frequently find yourself battling not only against waves of enemies, but depleting ammo levels and low health. Its here where the Genesis shows its real use, in which scanning for hidden items means the difference between life and death. Furthermore, scanning enemies and hidden handprints to reach 100% will award you with a health boost. This struggle and scramble for ammo and health while fleeing multiple enemies, is a huge factor in creating the tense survival scares that Revelations frequently revels in. Theres few things more frightening than being left in the dark with no ammo or weapons to protect you, and while it leads to occasionally frustrating bouts of having the odds stacked well against you, it also results in frequently suspenseful encounters and a genuine feeling of dread. 
One of the greatest aspects of Revelations is the setting of the Queen Zenobia, frequently evoking the sinister hallways and dark rooms of the creepy mansion of the original Resident Evil. Throughout the story, youll also travel to snow covered mountains and even sunny beaches and tall skyscrapers, but its the Zenobia which emerges as the true star of the game. Environmental puzzles also return to the series, often making a welcome appearance throughout the story. Having to frequently backtrack through confusing levels and stages to find keys and items to open specific doors can be annoying, but for the most part the puzzles in Revelations are well suited to the touch screen and recall those prominently seen in Resident Evil 2. Once youve worked through the lengthy 8-11 hour campaign, Revelations offers up an enjoyable co-op multiplayer game titled Raid Mode. Playable either alone or with another player - either locally or online - Raid Mode consists of arenas and environments from the campaign with timed challenges and increasingly difficult waves of enemies. As well as unlocking items and weapons, players are ranked for their accuracy and skill, with headshots and grenade kills offering more points to beat the competition. Visually Revelations is astounding, featuring graphics which push the 3DS to its full potential. In the same way that Resident Evil 4 was a benchmark for the Gamecube, its quite possible to expect that Revelations will do the same for the 3DS, paving the way for developers to utilise the often untapped potential of the hardware. Sadly the 3D effects dont fare quite as well, as the dark and frequently murky atmosphere of the visuals result in noticeable ghosting and inconsistencies. Resident Evil: Revelations is a largely successful attempt to take the series in a new direction, while also reacquainting itself with the classic survival horror thats been lost along the way. Its not quite a complete success, suffering from a patchy story, annoying characters and some underwhelming enemies. Heres hoping that the upcoming Resident Evil 6 will build on the successes and downfalls of Revelations to truly deliver something special. Circle Pad Pro Review
rating:3
The first thing that needs to be said about the Circle Pad Pro is that Resident Evil: Revelations is an absolute joy to play without the use of the clunky peripheral. Perhaps the only notable difference is that without the add-on, you wont be able to aim and shoot while also moving, but it's not a game-breaker. Using the added stick also gives you the luxury of free camera movement and a more intuitive control scheme. The peripheral itself is surprisingly comfortable to use, even if ascetically ugly. The most interesting thing about the device is that it arguably makes extended play sessions more comfortable by making the 3DS feel less cramped. Overall, the Circle Pad Pro - as of release - is nether essential nor without merit, but an acceptable solution to one of the 3DS biggest problems. Time will tell if future releases lead to the peripheral becoming a must-have, at least until the inevitable 3DS redesign. Resident Evil: Revelations is out now for Nintendo 3DS